Locations of Mint marks on the Jefferson 5-cent coin

The Jefferson 5-cent coin (curiously nicknamed a "nickel," even though the composition is 75% copper and just 25% nickel) has been struck with no major design modifications since 1938. However, the Mint mark - the tiny letter that indicates the Mint which struck the coin - has moved repeatedly during the past 60 years.

From 1938 to mid 1942, Jefferson 5-cent coins struck at the San Francisco or Denver Mints could be identified by the appropriate S or D Mint mark, located to the immediate right of the representation of Monticello on the reverse of the coin. Philadelphia coins lacked a Mint mark of any kind.

That changed later in 1942, when wartime metals needs forced a congressionally approved change in composition, including the addition of 35% silver. The Mint, in order to distinguish coins composed of the wartime composition, moved the Mint mark to above the dome of Monticello, and enlarged it to make it easier to see.  In addition, those coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint in the wartime composition were given a large P Mint mark in the same location above the dome.

The traditional composition returned in 1946, as did the traditional Mint marks. The location was moved back to the right side of Monticello, and the P Mint mark disappeared from use.

At the end of 1964, Mint officials sought and won congressional approval to drop Mint marks from all U.S. coins. A nationwide coin shortage was building, and Mint officials blamed it in part on coin collectors, dealers and speculators. They reasoned that removing Mint marks created fewer varieties for coin collectors and hoarders to collect. All coins dated 1965, 1966 and 1967 lack Mint marks, no matter which Mints struck the pieces.

When Mint officials began using Mint marks again in 1968, they moved them from the reverse to the obverse on the 5-cent coin, dime, quarter dollar and half dollar, to make them uniform (the Mint mark on the Lincoln cent had always been on the obverse). The Mint mark was placed just below the date on the 5-cent coin, to the right of Jefferson's queue.

The P Mint mark was returned to use on the 5-cent coin in 1980, one year after it was placed on the new 1979-P Anthony dollar. The P was placed into the same location as the D and S Mint marks.

A Mint mark collection of Jefferson 5-cent coins might include a 1938-42 or 1946-64 specimen; a P Mint 1942-45 Wartime Composition coin; a Mint mark less 1965-67 specimen; a 1968-97 specimen from Denver or San Francisco; and a 1980-P specimen.